At a glance

Your chance to

Spend 4 memorable nights in the Galapagos on a Luxury Class Modern Catamaran

Snorkel in beautiful idyllic bays and coves - turtles, sea lions and marine iguanas also inhabit the water

Fantastic wildlife observation and great photo opportunities!

At a glance

4 nights on board the Queen Beatriz, 3 nights hotel

Travel by internal flight, motor catamaran and minibus

A Luxury Class 4 night cruise in the enchanted Galapagos Islands

The Queen Beatriz is Exodus’ most luxurious boat, but not overly-ornate: just a small and stylish vessel, ideal as a smart base for exploring these enchanted islands. This trip features a 4 night cruise following itinerary B (Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Rabida, Santiago and Baltra). This cruise is also available as 'Galapagos Explorer - Itinerary A'.

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Free day in Quito.

Clients booking on a flight inclusive basis will arrive the day before day 1 of this itinerary and have a free day today to relax and explore Quito. As the city is located 2,850 metres above sea level, you may experience some of the milder effects of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, insomnia and a shortness of breath. If so, we recommend you avoid any strenuous activity and rest today. Land Only clients should arrive at the start hotel today - there is a pre-departure meeting in the evening at 6pm when you'll have the opportunity to meet others travelling on your cruise to the Galapagos Islands.See more images and videos

2Day 2Fly to Galapagos; board MC Queen Beatriz.

This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival you must pay the US$100 arrival tax for entry to the Galapagos National Park. This is best done using cash, as using credit cards can be time consuming. We are met in the arrival hall of the airport by our National Park Guide, and transferred to our catamaran ‘M.C Queen Beatriz’.
Today we visit Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, and home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. As well as undertaking vital conservation work, the station also makes for interesting exploration and offers the best opportunities for close encounters with Giant tortoises. We also observe baby tortoises and land iguanas.See more images and videos

3Day 3Second day of Galapagos cruise.

Today we take a morning excursion to North Seymour. The trail on North Seymour crosses the island and then explores the rocky coast. Along the way the trail passes colonies of Blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. The magnificent frigatebird, a large black bird with a long wingspan and a hooked beak, is extremely fast and has excellent vision. Frigatebirds are known for the large red pouch on their necks. During mating season the males throw back their heads, inflate their pouch (sometimes to the size of a soccer ball), and shake trying to capture the attention of females. Boobies and frigatebirdss have an interesting relationship. Sharing the same nesting area on North Seymour, Blue-footed boobies nest on the ground making their nests from the twigs of the palo santos trees, while the frigatebirds’ nest just above them in the saltbushes. After lunch we visit the small sandy island of Mosquera, a relaxing, picturesque stop. Along the rocks and in the tide pool, Sally Lightfoot crabs (red lava crabs) scamper back and forth, skipping across small pools of water in search of food. These crabs with their bright red shell tops and blue under shells are stunning against the black lava. Ever aware of movement around them the Sally Lightfoot is quick to escape from any approaching movement, a natural defence that helps protecting them from their predators; herons, Moray eels and hawkfish. This quick escape technique seems in stark contrast to the unabashed way the crabs climb over the sedentary marine iguanas.See more images and videos

4Day 4Third day of Galapagos cruise.

Today we take a morning excursion to Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) - a red mangrove wetland on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. We paddle among the cove’s peaceful waters for our first taste of the underwater riches – it’s a wonderful place to see Green turtles and is a nursery for rays and Galapagos sharks. There is also abundant birdlife, such as the Yellow warbler and Lava heron. This is also a breeding area for turtles, so it is not uncommon to see them mating. Go for a walk on Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) this afternoon, one of the best places to see land iguanas in the islands. We’ll walk along the trail from the beach and hopefully see marine iguanas, flamingos and Sally Lightfoot crabs as well.See more images and videos

5Day 5Fourth day of Galapagos cruise.

Rabida, also known as ‘Jervis’, is a tiny island sitting roughly 5 kilometres south of Santiago and one of the most striking of the archipelago. Introduced species were eradicated in 1971, meaning that the indigenous wildlife has now been returned to a state of splendid isolation. Additionally, volcanic activity here has produced vivid, fantastical colours, not least the beaches of red sand and cliffs of scarlet. From the shore, the trail leads through to what is one of the finest lagoons in the Galapagos for viewing flamingos. Rabida is also a wonderful place to spot nesting pelicans. Elsewhere, Pintail ducks, marine iguanas and sea lions are all present. Sombrero Chino is a small islet located near the south-east coast of Santiago. Shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from afar, it is geologically fascinating, with many lava tubes leading from the cone to the coast.See more images and videos

6Day 6Fifth day of Galapagos cruise.

Today we take an early morning excursion to Las Bachas, which was so named after the barges abandoned by the American Navy here in the 1940’s. The sandy, white beaches of Las Bachas on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island are a nesting site for the Pacific Green turtle, and marine iguanas are also commonly seen. The sand here is particularly white and soft as it is made of decomposed coral. The rocks provide great snorkelling and are the perfect habitat for the Sally Lightfoot crabs, which are plentiful on the island. A saltwater lagoon near to the beach is home to flamingo and whimbrel, and look out too for Great blue herons.
We return to Baltra and fly to Quito after this mornings excursion. If you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip would be very much appreciated by them. Upon arrival in Quito Airport you are transferred back to our hotel for an overnight stay.See more images and videos

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners included.

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) available free of charge on board

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request - please ask for details)

Visas or vaccinations

Compulsory Galapagos taxes USD110 (approx. GBP70), paid locally

Accommodation details

Hotels & Motor Catamaran

4 nights on board the Queen Beatriz in en suite, air-conditioned rooms, 3 nights hotel with en suite rooms.
A luxury modern Catamaran, the Queen Beatriz has a comfortable lounge and dining area, on-board Jacuzzi and a sun deck for wildlife viewing. She has eight well-appointed, air-conditioned cabins from standard to suite with a mix of twins and double beds.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
British passport holders do not need a visa for Ecuador. Very few other nationalities need a visa for Ecuador, but if you are in any doubt you should contact the nearest Ecuadorian Embassy.
Please note that if flying via the US (even as a transit passenger) you must clear US immigration. Most UK citizens are eligible for visa-free travel, but you must register on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which costs USD14 and is valid for two years. Please go to http://www.exodus.co.uk/USvisa for more information.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Typhoid and Hepatitis A. If you will spend any time in the Amazon Rainforest we recommend a Yellow Fever vaccination. Please note that your certificate of vaccination may be inspected on arrival to this region. Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a Doctor for more advice.
Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Holiday style

This trip has been graded 1 (Leisurely) with a Safari Rating of 5, and will be operated in partnership with our sister company, Peregrine Adventures. As such the departures are not exclusive to Exodus and groups may be a mixture of Exodus, Peregrine and other clients. Occasionally some of these may be younger than Exodus' minimum age for this trip. This trip is booked through Exodus and you will receive the same award winning customer service that you are used to. Peregrine operate with the same core principles used by Exodus and champion the benefits of small group travel.
This trip is great for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and those with an interest in history or geology. Though you do not need to be particularly fit, you should note that due to the volcanic nature of the Galapagos islands there will be some walking on rough ground and sharp volcanic rocks. The ability to withstand high temperatures and swim will maximize your enjoyment. Due to local regulations in the Galapagos we have specific time slots for making our landings and site visits. There is usually very little disruption to the schedule, but this can mean little room for deviation in the event of poor weather or other circumstances.
In the Galapagos, each day will feature a mixture of walking, snorkelling and exploring the islands by boat. To get closer to the designated landing sites on each of the islands we disembark the Queen Beatriz into small pangas (motorised dinghys). Landings on the islands are divided into two types - wet and dry. For dry landings, the panga will take you right up to a landing stage or rocky outcrop where you can disembark without getting wet. However in some places where there is no landing stage the panga will stop close to a beach and you will be expected to walk through shallow water (generally no more than ankle-deep) to the shore. The leader will always advise conditions prior to leaving the boat and it is possible to skip any particular excursion if you would rather relax on board. There are plenty of opportunities for snorkelling in the Galapagos and this is one of the best ways to experience the marine life. A mask and snorkel will reveal an exciting underwater world with sea lions, rays, turtles, marine iguanas and a colourful array of fish. On most days of the itinerary there will be time set aside for snorkelling.

Eating & drinking

All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners included. On board the Queen Beatriz meals are plentiful with a wide choice of international and local cuisine. Breakfasts will usually consist of cheese, meats, eggs, cereal, toasts, yoghurts and fruits. Snacks are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and for lunches and dinner soup usually precedes the main course.
Alcoholic drinks are available to be purchased from the bar. Drinking water, tea, coffee and juice is freely available at no additional charge.

The chef can prepare meals for vegetarians and those with other dietary requirements provided advance notice is given - please inform us at the time of booking.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

In Quito and the highlands it should be warm by day and generally dry. Maximum daytime temperatures are almost constant throughout the year at 20degC, nights 8degC. Some rain can be expected in February to May and October to November but storms, though heavy, are generally short, and Quito is considered to have quite a pleasant climate.

It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, though the weather patterns are complicated and cannot be reduced to easy formulas. The weather is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region, the Humboldt, bringing cold water from the Antarctic, and El Nino, which brings tropical water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to Galapagos they converge (which varies from year to year) is the key to the weather.

'Dry season'

Generally speaking, late May to early December is the cooler 'dry' season. In this period it is not necessarily dry, as there is a persistent light mist (garua) and often light drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are covered in cloud and fog or rain. At this time the winds are in the southeast and are higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy and anyone worried about seasickness might be better advised to avoid it. Daytime maximum temperatures lie between 27 and 31degC, the cooler months being July to November. In July and August the fairly strong winds introduce a chill factor, and it can feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the year the official night temperatures vary between 19 and 24degC.

'Wet season'

Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April or May. approx. every seven years the El Nino current actually hits the islands and there will be heavy rains in these months. In other years there will be more or less rain, usually falling sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there is some rain, and most people would regard these months as the best time to go.

Travelled on the "Queen B" from Wednesday to Sunday. The above water world was excellent, but the snorkelling with the sea lions, sea turtles and shRks was spectacular! Puerto Ayora is a quaint little town, to which I would love to return.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

A group of 5 blacktip sharks put on a magnificent show just off the back of the boat one evening. They swam behind us for more than a half hour. Being able to get so close to the birds, turtles, iguanas and sea lions without them scurrying off made photographing very easy.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our guide, Wilo, along with the rest of the crew were exceptional! Our cabins were cleaned several times a day. The food was gourmet and the sailors most helpful when we were embarking or disembarking. Wilo was very knowledgeable about the islands as he is a life long resident.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

I'm travelling via the US, do I need a visa?

Most clients are eligible to travel via the US under the US Visa Waiver Programme, however to do this you must register for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). This must be done prior to departure - more details can be found at www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa.

Rebecca Caldicott - Customer Operations

Do I take dollars to Ecuador?

Since US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador it is definitely the best option to go for. Sterling. although not necessarily very difficult to change. may incur a poor exchange rate. ATMs are becoming more common but you shouldn't rely on them 100% in case there are any problems. Exchanging travellers cheques could be a pretty time consuming operation.Obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$100 and US$50) can be very difficult, and in many cases they may not even be accepted (especially $100 notes) so our suggestion is not to bring them with you at all. You may find it strange but people in Ecuador (and other South American countries) could be a bit fussy about the condition of banknotes and may not be happy to accept a torn or heavily used note (the higher denomination, the more likely it is).If flying to the Galapagos you will be asked to pay $110 in cash to cover for the immigration control card ($10) and Galapagos tax ($100). If you are sailing on the Cacholote, you will actually only need some money for alcoholic drinks on board (soft drinks $1.50, beer $2, cocktails $3-6), gratuities and souvenirs. You will need to take a bit more cash with you if you want to hire snorkelling equipment or a wetsuit on the boat. Cards or travellers cheques are not accepted on board the yacht and ATMs in the Galapagos are very limited.

Karol Rogacki - Americas Operations

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

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When viewing the Forum area of the website, as you scroll through the 'Rooms' which are set out by 'travel months' during the current year within the Departure Lounge. You can then select the 'month' of intended travel, then filter the list of trips that have already been created by fellow travellers to see if your trip is listed. If the trip you are travelling on is not in the list, you can start the process by clicking on the 'Post new forum topic' link above the list on the same page. If you do see your trip within the list, select it to view the 'discussion' by your fellow travellers and you can join in by completing the 'Post your comment' section below the discussion thread.

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